Proposed ordinance regarding motorized rental scooters set for September hearing

Post Date:08/28/2018 12:55 PM

Companies that rent motorized scooters in Oklahoma City will have clearly defined requirements for doing business under a new ordinance proposed to the City Council.

The proposed ordinance, introduced Tuesday and set for a public hearing on Sept. 11 and adoption on Sept. 25, would create a Share Vehicle System License for any business to offer the scooters for rent.

Companies already offering the scooters for rent under current ordinances would need to get the new license to keep doing business in Oklahoma City.

About the new ordinance

Licensees would be limited to 250 scooters at first. The licensee can request up to 25 more scooters each time they can show usage and demand exceeds the availability of its fleet. There’s no limit to the number of times they can request more scooters with proof of excessive usage and demand.

Licensees would be required to have revocable permits defining areas where they would park the scooters each day before 7 a.m.

The City would have the right to require the licensee to use geo-fences – GPS or RFID technology creating a virtual boundary that triggers a response by the scooter if it enters a fenced area – preventing the scooters from use in certain prohibited areas. These areas would be shown to users on the smartphone apps needed to use the scooters.

Licensees would be required to relocate vehicles left in unauthorized public places within two hours of notification, and within one hour if left in an unauthorized place on private property.

Licensees would need to submit monthly records to the City showing usage statistics like the number of rides and mileage, plus reports of collisions and customer comments or complaints.

The annual fee for the license would be $302, plus a $30 annual fee per scooter. Licensees would be required to have general liability insurance with limits of at least $175,000 per person for bodily injury, and at least $1 million.

The full proposed ordinance, which shows all requirements, is attached to the agenda item for Tuesday’s Council meeting at okc.gov/agenda.

Rules for riders

Ordinances for riders, along with general safety recommendations, are already in place and would not be affected by the proposed ordinance.

Riders can’t use a scooter on a sidewalk or trail. Bike lanes and streets are OK.

Riders must always yield to pedestrians. Watch for pedestrians coming out of buildings or from between parked cars.

Riders are encouraged to park the scooters close to the curb, or next to a bike rack. Please don’t block the sidewalk, especially in places that would make it difficult for a person with disabilities to use the sidewalk.

Riders are encouraged to follow guidelines and instructions from the scooter business.